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School of Computing

How to apply to do a research degree (PhD, MSc)

Entry Requirements

Candidates must hold a good Honours degree (First or 2:1) or a Master's degree at merit or distinction in a relevant subject or equivalent. Applicants whose first language is not English must hold IELTS (or equivalent) at 6.5 with no element less than 6.0

Before you can apply for a research degree, you must have an idea for a project, or of an area you wish to work in.

If you have a specific research proposal (or area) in mind you can contact a member of staff and develop a research proposal directly with them; this applies in particular to current University of Kent students. You can find out more information about the research interests of members of staff and look at some suggested research projects. Once you are happy with your research proposal, you can then fill in the university online admission form.

If you have not previously contacted a member of staff then you can apply using the university online admission form. We will then work to match your interests with a member of the academic staff.

Applying for funding

Your application will be put forward for consideration for any of the available funding, including the Vice Chancellor's Research Scholarships. There are several funding opportunities.

Application requirements:

a completed online admission form;

the name and contact details of two referees;

an original document providing confirmation of your degree. If the degree is not yet awarded send a transcript giving details of your marks to date;

for non native English speakers, a certificate of competence in English (IELTS or Pearson). The School of Computing requires IELTS at 6.5 with no
element less than 6.0 (or equivalent).

Deadlines

We have one starting date each year for our research degrees: September. We will consider applications up to the 30th of June for entry in September that year, some overseas students may wish to apply in advance of the deadline to ensure that they leave enough time to obtain their visas. The School Scholarship Committee has much earlier deadlines for complete applications, and sits twice a year, in the early spring and in the summer. If you apply for external funding
be aware that they have their own deadlines.